Widgeons recall has become decidedly patchy lately. He will either bound back, or more so lately, completely ignore me. Around the home or garden, very good. Obviously if he doesn't come back straight away on the first whistle all I've got is the 'run away' which is fine if he notices. I'm thinking of a webbing strap training line, I assume you whistle as normal and if no response you can give a little reminder in the form of a little tug? I can't seem to find much info on a site search on them. Is there any tips or tricks or 'games' to play? Thanks
Re: Recall on a training line This article may help: Using a training lead Lots of recall training info here Recall Training Centre Shout if you need help
Re: Recall on a training line I found the article helped (I've read it a few times). I've got some questions though. When might a training lead help me over other techniques? How long should I use a training lead for? In total recall it seems to be set out as a rather long term strategy, describing getting the dog used to it so it is "background noise". If the dog is aware of it (ie it has not become background noise) does it do any good or will the dog just respond differently when he is not wearing it?
Re: Recall on a training line I was very sceptical about using a training line but have found it very useful in a specific situation. I really don't want to stop going to the beach, because we live so near it, but Molly kept running off, picking up dead birds and refusing to come. I got a training line from Pets at Home, which is 7 metres long. I know longer lines are suggested but this seems to work fine for us. To my surprise it doesn't seem to get constantly tangled and Molly didn't try to grab it or chew it. When she wouldn't come I stood on the line and when she discovered she couldn't get away to my delight she came and let me take the bird (she'd already been taught to 'give' toys.) She did then rush off for another bird, and another, and another (how many dead birds can one beach hold??) but I repeated the process and binned them all at the end. I think the main thing for me is that it has taken away the stress. I'm doing a kind of two-pronged attack - working through the programme of Total Recall with my new whistle, but just calling her by voice when out. My other problem area is when we meet other dogs, as Molly is desperate to play - and I can't use a long-line then. At the moment I'm letting her have a short play and then asking the other owner to call their dog so I can grab Molly and put her on the lead. Not ideal - and I'm still thinking about how to set up situations for training when we get to that point. Incidentally I think Molly must be aware that she is on a long line, though she seems to ignore it until I stop her with it, but she must realise then. I don't know if this will cause problems with training the whistle recall.
Re: Recall on a training line [quote author=Joy link=topic=5189.msg65300#msg65300 date=1396370857] When she wouldn't come I stood on the line and when she discovered she couldn't get away to my delight she came and let me take the bird (she'd already been taught to 'give' toys.) She did then rush off for another bird, and another, and another (how many dead birds can one beach hold??) but I repeated the process and binned them all at the end. I think the main thing for me is that it has taken away the stress. [/quote] I'm glad it's made your beach trips happier and less stressful. I'm interested to know, whether you think this is really just like a long lead - she knows that she is wearing it, so acts a certain way (and whether you always have to stand on the line). Or whether it will help with your recall away from dead birds when you take the long line off (or reduce it slowly, and if so for how long would you have to keep the line before you saw an improvement without it)?
Re: Recall on a training line The main benefit of the long line is that it enables you to prevent the dog self rewarding and therefore to rehearse desirable behaviours. It is great if you can create a situation where the dog is not really thinking about the fact that the line is either on, or off. But, even if the dog is fully aware of the limitations of the line, the rehearsal of a good behaviour is a good thing (those pathways in the brain again) and makes it more likely that the dog will choose a 'good' behaviour in the future.
Re: Recall on a training line Julie T - I think probably it is acting like a long lead (though I don't hold the end). So far it hasn't stopped her going after birds, so I don't know whether eventually I will be able to dispense with it - I hope so. I think the line is preventing some self-rewarding, as although I haven't been quick enough to prevent her picking up the bird, she doesn't get to eat it and / or roll in it, which is what she does if she can. I'm not yet at the stage where I'm trying to recall her from distractions with the whistle when out.
Re: Recall on a training line Big fan of the long line ( mine is about thirty metres). Brodick was an incorrigible squirrel chaser in the park. Have used the line to prevent him rehearsing this very desireable behaviour, while getting him hooked on a ball instead ( rehearsal of good behaviour) He was so into his squirrels he had a long line on in park for around six months...been off for four months now and rehab seems complete not a single squirrel relapse and would much rather play bal with me, he doesnt even look at where squirrels are anymore... long lines are a great way to prevent self rewarding and begin the redirecting to what you want instead process
Re: Recall on a training line Hmmm....thinking this over. Charlie's recall was good. Not perfect, but good. So he would stop and turn round even heading away from me at speed towards another dog, and recall say across a beach even if he was playing with another dog. He would recall away from all wildlife, sheep and horses. And recall even if i was out of sight. Playing with a big pack of dogs would be a challenge, and I usually wouldn't risk it. I don't think I'm going to have this when we go back off lead, he is so desperate for smells, freedom, other dogs now. I am not sure a long line is plan A. I am not sure what is plan A! But I think it is reintroducing levels of distractions step by step. I worry that a long line will muddle us. He would have to wear his harness, and I think the harness (which he hates with a passion) and line will be so different that he won't react the same without it. Hmmm.....dunno though.
